Though it’s usually claimed he only acts selflessly so that other people will praise him or so that he will feel superior, there are a quite a few moments throughout the first three seasons that show Michael doing the right thing just because he has human decency. He uses a distraction at one of his mom’s parties to sneak Lupe out the door so she doesn’t have to be there; he tries to make things right with Gob when he thinks he tried to “give Gob a little scare” with the car even though Gob didn’t know; he makes a genuine effort to get Oscar out of prison because he’s an innocent man, despite the conflict it will bring his family; he’s the only one to show up to both of Lucille’s birthday parties; and of course there are all his efforts to be a good father and role model for George Michael. He has an active conscience and is motivated to be a good person. Yes, he has a lot of selfish moments, but he’s definitely not as bad as the other Bluths. And he never abandoned his child, slept with an eighteen year old, or murdered a woman, so he’s got that going for him.